Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[SilkieSensation]

Have some pics..footprints..(sorry about the quality), of the visitor the coop had the other night...





we have plans on enclosing the entire area with "wire" and putting a door on...unfortunately, it as to wait. I hope not too long though...

Looks like racoon prints.

 

[LeBlackbird]

Wow. I guess you can't go away for a weekend around here! Finally got caught up! I have a few newbie questions. 1) I just picked up 15 new chickens on my way home. Impulse buy...kind of. I'm trying to figure out what some of them are and may need to rely on your expertise. In the meantime, they're in a separate section of the barn (previously for my chicks). I *know* rule of thumb is 30 days for quarantine...does anyone else shorten this? I free range and don't have an outdoor pen set up...I don't want to keep them inside for 30 days (they're all adults). I do have extra chicken wire, so I *could* rig something up... 2) My coop is a giant section of the bottom level of a bank barn (aka a German barn). The only issue this causes is...rats. We've tried to block up where they can get in, I take up their food at night, I have two barn cats. We've also (unsuccessfully) set multiple types of traps. Aside from building a moveable structure (I have acreage that I can eventually rotate, but I'm just getting the farm back into working order), does anyone have any suggestions? 3) One of the new ladies has a naked, swollen, red balloon butt. I searched it and came up with an inconclusive old thread on here that didn't have much of a solution...but it was primarily newbies posting on it (which always makes me nervous). I was told that she was 1. Should I treat her for being egg bound, rub her with DE, let her go until she shows symptoms, or something alternative (like draining)? I appreciate all of your help. I try to research instead of inundating you all, but that's where my research has left me. Rhode Island Red? I have ones that are much darker. Plump rump... Sussex? The previous owners claimed that these were Silver Laced Wyandottes, but they look Barred Rock to me (the one in the back has pretty green shiny feathers). ? ? She's a bantam...and nice and fluffy! She has pretty blue shiny ears.

Cute new kids!! I wouldn't worry too much about the hen's rear end, sometimes it's because other birds pick the feathers out, usually it's no big deal Pic one, That guy in front is very roostery looking, and he looks young too. Definitely thinking New Hampshire, rhodies are darker and less orange. Pic two, your bare-butt is a Barred Rock Pic three, back to front, Barred rock, white one could either be a Columbian Wyandotte or a Light Brahma. I'm going with brahma for now (deep set, hooded eyes (brahma trait) + comb is even width from front to back, probably pea comb), two in front both look like New Hampshire reds. Pic four, left to right, Speckled Sussex, Barred rock, probable Easter Egger, Delaware Pic five, left to right, Easter Egger, Delaware, can't see third bird, last one could be one of two things. She could either be an Easter Egger, or if I really see a single comb and white ear lobes, then she's probably a game bird or game mix. Last picture is a silkie I've seen pretty interesting hatchery birds, but I've never seen one that's completely lacking a crest! Hope that helps

 

[tweetr1979]

Morning all

Wow what a night, ended up having 4 storms going over & talk about rain - my yard is covered in small lake sized puddles and my grass

feels like you are walking on a sponge, I haven't even gone to the basement to see how much water got in

Hope you all have a great day!

 

[wingstone]

And just that quick... Sleep well Llt Dave.. the battle you have lost, a better place you have found.. Sleep well

Have some pics..footprints..(sorry about the quality), of the visitor the coop had the other night...





we have plans on enclosing the entire area with "wire" and putting a door on...unfortunately, it as to wait. I hope not too long though...

at first it looked like you had a child walking on your coop,,,,I would have to agree with silkie coon,,,and a large one at that.


newbies looking for birds, I always have day olds up to year olds available,,,,,lancaster county may be a long trip for most.....layer pen is mostly mixed birds (not pure, but hardy, good layers)... right now I have a young week old pair of EE,,black and gold coloring coming in...

 

[bigT88]

Looking for some BLRW chicks. Anyone have some or know of someone. Thanks

 

[SilkieSensation]

Quote: Brahmas are feather legged but can't see legs in the pic. Speckled sussex have a red base with black flecks & white in the chest. That bird is partially barred so definitely not speckled sussex.

 

[beckah1]

Cute new kids!! I wouldn't worry too much about the hen's rear end, sometimes it's because other birds pick the feathers out, usually it's no big deal

Pic one, That guy in front is very roostery looking, and he looks young too. Definitely thinking New Hampshire, rhodies are darker and less orange.

Pic two, your bare-butt is a Barred Rock

Pic three, back to front, Barred rock, white one could either be a Columbian Wyandotte or a Light Brahma. I'm going with brahma for now (deep set, hooded eyes (brahma trait) + comb is even width from front to back, probably pea comb), two in front both look like New Hampshire reds.

Pic four, left to right, Speckled Sussex, Barred rock, probable Easter Egger, Delaware

Pic five, left to right, Easter Egger, Delaware, can't see third bird, last one could be one of two things. She could either be an Easter Egger, or if I really see a single comb and white ear lobes, then she's probably a game bird or game mix.

Last picture is a silkie

I've seen pretty interesting hatchery birds, but I've never seen one that's completely lacking a crest!

Hope that helps

Oh, thank you! That helps a LOT!!!
I just went out to let everyone out and check on them.
I think you guys are right about at LEAST the one of them. I didn't know about New Hampshire...which makes sense because my RIR are darker (and don't have the black tip on the tail).
For picture 3, the first one is SO pretty. She's black and white and blue/green iridescent with brown...if that helps. Also the Light Brahma? Just noticed that she has feathers on her feet/legs...
The Easter Eggers I didn't ask about because I have those (a LOT of those...like 28 already).

The Delaware? Do they have big combs? (& also that is a pretty BIG chicken)

The silkie also has some feathering by her legs/feet. She's not really keen on being handled, but boy would I love to.

I think my daughter is going to claim her as a favorite. They claim that she just started laying (small whitish eggs).

I'm sure they're all stressed, but some of them are missing feathers and they seem to peck at each other a LOT. My girls have their pecking order and will attack over treats, but these guys will harass each other over water, food, looking at each other, seemingly nothing. Why do you suppose they're not...happier with one another?
[arguably, the only one of my chickens who are missing feathers are my two girls who are the rooster's favorite...hence getting more chickens...so I'm not used to cranky girls]

 

[wingstone]

I have a 2 day work week,,,,I have a 2 day work week,,,,,,,whatever will I do with myself.....


will have to practice this one.

 

[SilkieSensation]

Quote: The feathers on the legs would make her a light brahma & yes, they are huge as are delawares. As for picking at each other, if they are pulling feathers & eating them then they need more protein in the diet. If they are jst pecking each other they they are reestablishing pecking order after being moved.

 

[BirdbyGavin1103]

GORGEOUS!!! LOVE THE IDEA!!!!

Thanks!

OK, I KNOW THIS ISN'T ABOUT CHICKENS, BUT............................could you guys just say some prayers? My twin boys left this morning FOR A WEEK at Scout Camp in NJ. I know they will be fine, I just miss them terribly already. Thanks.

Gonna go be mopey a bit............

I know the feeling

Oh that is cool!

Thanks!

Cool. I used goldfish bowls, waterbeads, submersible lights and flowers

I was thinking of that or cheap vases, but we're using artificial flowers. Given the time of year and the person doing our flowers, I figure it'll cost less and give him more time to work on them.

And just that quick... Sleep well Llt Dave.. the battle you have lost, a better place you have found.. Sleep well

Aww sorry

Thought I'd share a pic of my son Kaleb with who is looking so far to be my fav chicken, Squizzy, taken earlier today. I just walked out into the spare room, she saw me & jumped off her perch and came over to me, then tried to fly out 3 times to get to me LOL I put my hand in and she walked right up to it so I could pick her up

They're both so cute!

I just HAVE to share this!

I made scrambled eggs yest morning.... and its been AWHILE since I made eggs... I cracked an egg open and I just looked at how TINY the yolk is!!! I got so used to how the duck egg yolks are ( I haven't eaten a duck egg, I may now! But I give the eggs back to the ducks as treats) and just holly cow! I "awed" at it LOL.

This made me giggle, Gavin's asking for ducks that will lay nearly year round now. We had gotten some duck eggs from Reyvaughn, and he LOVES the size of the yolk for scrambled eggs and when I bake.

http://scranton.craigslist.org/grd/3898622028.html

Veriety of birds for sale here!

Hmmmm, that's not too terribly far from us...no must resist urge to buy more birds. Although I do want some guineas...